Xbox Modder's Day In Court Delayed

The judge had some choice words for the prosecution trying to convict a California man for modifying consoles.

Things aren't looking good for the prosecution as they begin their case against Matthew Crippen, the man accussed of breaking anti-circumvention rules in the Digital Millenium Copyright Act by modding Xbox consoles. If convicted, Crippen could face 10 years in prison.

“I really don’t understand what we’re doing here,” U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez told the prosecution, according to an account of the trial posted by Wired. He further criticized the prosecution for wanting to use witnesses may have broken the law, and for claiming that Crippen didn't need to know he was breaking the law to be culpable for the crime.

After the reprimand, the prosecution may dismiss the case, or offer a deal to Crippen in lieu of pursuing a trial.